Xplosion team makes history with runner-up finish

Published: Monday, November 26, 2012 at 11:25 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 26, 2012 at 11:25 p.m.

Earlier this month, the 96 Xplosion girls soccer team made history by becoming the first boys or girls Henderson County Soccer Association team to be in the Final Four of the State Cup competition.

Xplosion made it to the championship match, where it fell 2-1 in overtime to Greensboro United Soccer Association, which was last year's national champion.

Traveling to Mooresville and then Burlington, the Xplosion girls won their group during the first two weekends of play without allowing a single goal. They advanced to the quarterfinals, where they defeated Piedmont Triad Football Club by a score of 4-2 to advance to the Final Four, which was held Nov. 10-11 in Wilson.

In its first match of the Final Four, Xplosion earned a hard-fought 4-2 win against previously unbeaten 96 WYSA Wilson Explosion to advance to the finals.

In the championship, Xplosion held a 1-0 lead over Greensboro until the 72nd minute when Greensboro tied it up at 1 to send the match to overtime. Greensboro then went on to take a thrilling 2-1 win to advance to the regional round.

"These girls have nothing to hang their head about. They fought hard in every game this year and they have made Henderson County proud today. They showed great character and never gave up," said coach Pat Fidelia following the girls' loss on Nov. 11.

A native of Haiti, Fidelia is a former player for the U.S. National team and also played professionally. He also coaches the boys high school team at Carolina Day School.

"Our county businesses were very supportive of this historic achievement," he said. "Travel over three weekends becomes expensive and we greatly appreciate their assistance."

Many of the girls on Xplosion have played together on the same club team for many years in the Henderson County Soccer Association. They represent all four area high schools and some from Buncombe County as well.

<p class="bold allcaps">HCSA team is first to make it to State Cup's Final Four</p>
<p>Earlier this month, the 96 Xplosion girls soccer team made history by becoming the first boys or girls Henderson County Soccer Association team to be in the Final Four of the State Cup competition.</p><p>Xplosion made it to the championship match, where it fell 2-1 in overtime to Greensboro United Soccer Association, which was last year's national champion.</p><p>Traveling to Mooresville and then Burlington, the Xplosion girls won their group during the first two weekends of play without allowing a single goal. They advanced to the quarterfinals, where they defeated Piedmont Triad Football Club by a score of 4-2 to advance to the Final Four, which was held Nov. 10-11 in Wilson.</p><p>In its first match of the Final Four, Xplosion earned a hard-fought 4-2 win against previously unbeaten 96 WYSA Wilson Explosion to advance to the finals.</p><p>In the championship, Xplosion held a 1-0 lead over Greensboro until the 72nd minute when Greensboro tied it up at 1 to send the match to overtime. Greensboro then went on to take a thrilling 2-1 win to advance to the regional round.</p><p>"These girls have nothing to hang their head about. They fought hard in every game this year and they have made Henderson County proud today. They showed great character and never gave up," said coach Pat Fidelia following the girls' loss on Nov. 11.</p><p>A native of Haiti, Fidelia is a former player for the U.S. National team and also played professionally. He also coaches the boys high school team at Carolina Day School. </p><p>"Our county businesses were very supportive of this historic achievement," he said. "Travel over three weekends becomes expensive and we greatly appreciate their assistance."</p><p>Sponsors included Paisano's Restaurant, Brock and Associates, First Citizens Bank, Park Ridge Health, Southeastern Sports Medicine, Carolina Ophthalmology, Scott Link and State Farm Insurance and Financial Services, The Van Winkle Law Firm, Reid and Reid Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics and El Paso Mexican Restaurant, in addition to several anonymous donors.</p><p>Many of the girls on Xplosion have played together on the same club team for many years in the Henderson County Soccer Association. They represent all four area high schools and some from Buncombe County as well.</p><p>Team members (with their schools in parentheses) are Hunter Denney (West), Carson Savage (East), Elena Link (T.C. Roberson), Alden Clark (HHS), Samantha Holmes (West), Kelsie Wallace (HHS), Abby Nelson (North), Sarah Black (T.C. Roberson), Maddie Hiriak (T.C. Roberson), Kayla Petri (West), Jasmine Sanchez (North), Mary Bulkeley (Home Schooled), Shannon Reeves (HHS), Elizabeth Baird (North), Kelly Connelly (North), Jenny Mosier (HHS) and Anna Conard (T.C. Roberson).</p>